Greetings!
It's been quite some time since I sent a newsletter, and that has a lot to do with getting married and settling into our home. Leah and I are profoundly grateful for the gift of our sacramental love, and we hope that God blesses us with the gift of children soon!
I have enjoyed visiting with many of you on recent occasions, but for those I haven't seen in some time, this note comes to let you know I am
"alive and kicking" and thankful to be celebrating
four years in full-time music ministry. Your ongoing
prayers and
support make it possible for me to continue bringing Jesus' healing love through music and prayer, faithful to the mission with which God has entrusted me.
An Update
Last summer I was hired by Holy Trinity Parish in Saint Ann, MO, as the
Director of Music, so in some ways my ministry is shifting focus. I have been immersing myself in liturgical sacred music, studying Church documents, recruiting and training cantors, singing at school Masses, and directing our parish Gregorian chant schola. I'm excited to attend the
Musica Sacra St. Louis Conference Feb. 24-26 and the Church Music Association of America (CMAA) Colloquium this summer at Duquesne University. I continually give thanks for the
great privilege it is to lead the congregation in sung prayer at Holy Mass.
Even with my new parish duties I’m still singing at various conferences, retreats, and liturgies, mostly around my home
Archdiocese of St. Louis. This past weekend, I provided music ministry with Mark Forrest, John Paul Kaplan, and Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB, director of the
Institute of Sacred Music, at the St. Louis Marian Conference. Other highlights of the past year include the annual
OSMM conference, the
Respect Life Apostolate Mass, St. Louis'
40 Days for Life closing event, a Convocation Mass for the
Diocese of Belleville, and the Hope and Healing Novena at
Our Lady of the Snows Shrine. Although my long-distance travel was more limited, events in
California,
Utah, and
Colorado last fall were very memorable.
So, Now What?
My creative focus of late has been primarily liturgical, composing new melodies for the
Communion antiphons of the newly-translated Roman Missal. Hopefully this resource will enable more parish musicians to sing the
rich Scriptural texts that the Church prescribes for each Sunday. I am also happy to announce that plans for a
new CD project are in the works—more on that coming soon!
May the Lord richly bless you with peace and love during this 2011!
In Christ,
Matthew Baute
